Steelers ALIVE in the NW

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 5 May 2014 6:38 am

For those of you that could not get to Portland for the steel jam let me share a few tidbits.

We had 4 new faces to the jam
a couple of 1st year players
a 65 year player
a 65th birthday
a 22nd wedding anniversary
dark hair, white hair, no hair
major steel brands and not so major
every size and make of amps

But most of all "smiles for miles" and a supportive brotherhood that we started 40 years ago and it is stronger today more than ever.

As new faces come they catch the fire, they see how it burns in the rest of us and soon they are aglow.

Here this is not just show up and say how much we liked your playing, we take our relationships to heart.

We go out and see each other at the gigs
trade and sell equipment to each other
go out to dinner
watch the kids grow up
support when (my) marriage fell apart
room together in St Louis or Dallas
buy each other Oreo double stuff cookies, thanks Harley, need I go on.

It is never about the steel or the hot licks, and believe me we have them, but it is that heart to heart connection we have. Sorry you missed it, how about coming next time, you will have a blast.

Larry Behm[/b]

Dennis Lee · Post by **Dennis Lee** » 5 May 2014 7:35 am

Yes, Larry really knows how to host a party. It was great! We now possess a well-known steeler from LA....referring to John McClung. He's ours now!
Thank you, Larry, for all your planning and hard work. The Northwest is where it's happening!

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 5 May 2014 7:41 am

It sounds like a great friendship Larry, well said and congrats on 40 years of keeping it alive.

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 5 May 2014 3:34 pm

Thanks for all you do to give the smiles a comfortable venue, Larry, that was about as much fun as mortals are allowed to have at one time...

Ben Greene · Post by **Ben Greene** » 5 May 2014 8:30 pm

A BIG thanks to you Larry! Your passion really drives these events. And I can tell you that for me personally, it's contagious! Your encouragement and guidance are a huge part of my learning process! Thanks again!

Jack Aldrich · Post by **Jack Aldrich** » 6 May 2014 8:39 am

I'd have been there, too, but I was on my way back from Hawaii.

Paul Arntson · Post by **Paul Arntson** » 6 May 2014 9:03 am

Wish I could have been there. Sounds like a lot of fun. Maybe next year when we are settled down.

Doug Jones · Post by **Doug Jones** » 6 May 2014 3:23 pm

Steel is definately alive and well up here in the Pac NW. Other than the 29 that were set up, there were 7 or more others in the crowd. Had the other Portland and Seattle area guys come down, that would have added yet another 8-10 !

Jack Aldrich · Post by **Jack Aldrich** » 7 May 2014 2:46 pm

Doug! Good to know you're still around. Remember when I played with "Silverado" in Eugene back I the 80's? I'm playing mostly Hawaiian non-pedal steel these days. Haven't had a PSG gig since 2005.

Jack Aldrich · Post by **Jack Aldrich** » 7 May 2014 2:47 pm

I should have said "steady gig". I still get casual gigs now and then.

Scott Hay · Post by **Scott Hay** » 7 May 2014 7:51 pm

Amen. Sad to have missed that one. I miss the hang most. NW steel scene rules.

Babies don't raise themselves, weekend day time is prime time Dad hours. We worked on our zoo puzzle chops and read the Hungry Caterpillar about 20 times, was a good day. Hopefully this will come in handy at the next jam.

Don Griffiths · Post by **Don Griffiths** » 9 May 2014 10:49 am

Making me wish I lived closer to Portland. Maybe sometime it would be worth the 9 hour drive?

Jeff Porter · Post by **Jeff Porter** » 9 May 2014 11:07 am

@Scott
I hear you - baby steelers don't raise themselves. We watched Right Hand Alpha twenty times and worked on our blocking chops. We'll start working on our pedal chops just as soon as we can reach 'em.

Paul Arntson · Post by **Paul Arntson** » 15 May 2014 7:49 pm

Very Cute!!!

Tom Palmer · Post by **Tom Palmer** » 17 May 2014 2:54 am

I had planned to be there but I could just not make it work. I didn't plan to play, I had hoped I could go for an hour or so just to say hello to so many players I have gotten know over the past several years. It was a real disappoint for me that I could not go.

Duane Becker · Post by **Duane Becker** » 18 May 2014 3:56 pm

Hey Larry, I love that Portland Jam, had to miss it this last month because of my schedule. I just cant do the first Sundays of the month. Please...please next year, could you schedule it for any Sunday but the first Sunday of the month.
All the guys are great, very nice, and supportive.
Portland jam is the best round robin type jam that I've ever been to.
That three piece backup band is to die for. Those big boys should take a lesson from them..
Duane Becker

W. Johnson · Post by **W. Johnson** » 22 Jun 2015 4:29 pm

Thought I'd bump this old post........

Just wondering if there are still Steel players in the NW? Anything going on?

W. Johnson

John Orr · Post by **John Orr** » 25 Jun 2015 6:42 am

Hi all, my name is John Orr. I am new here and reside in Astoria. Looking to return to playing after a 30 year hiatus. Am looking for D-10 with lotsa option on the c6 neck. I played in Arina in the late seventies, Northern California and Arizona in the early to mid eighties. Sweet memories. Thanks for any leads.
John aka Johnnyo

Bob Littleton · Post by **Bob Littleton** » 25 Jun 2015 9:16 am

I credit Larry and Harley for creating such a supportive and enjoyable steel community. Three steel players came to my last gig to hear the Southern Breakdown Band. Friendships among steel players are the best!

Larry Carlson · Post by **Larry Carlson** » 25 Jun 2015 11:11 am

Well, I live in Washington state. Sorry, lack of judgement there.
I am new to this "steel" thing and I am learning lap steel on top
of that so I doubt if I count since everything seems to be pedal steel.
However, I am alive and in the NW.
I can't even find an instructor within 60 miles of where I live.
Maybe I'll move to Idaho. Wait.....nope, forget that.

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 27 Jun 2015 9:09 am

Somehow I missed this great post the first time. What a nicely phrased description, Larry, really makes me wish I was close enough to attend!

When I started playing in Kalamazoo in the late 70's we had a steel club much like this, and it was a real joy to get together with the new and more experienced players for fellowship and sharing. Never forget how much of a leg up this is to the newer players, keep it up! Thanks and best wishes to everyone who keeps the steel flame burning.

John Orr · Post by **John Orr** » 27 Jun 2015 6:23 pm

small world. Born and raised in Kazoo. Left 1978 for good. Things looked better in the peach state?

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 28 Jun 2015 8:34 am

Hey, John, not to derail Larry's thread, but after playing a year and a half or so through a fun cover band and an original band, around '79 I realized that continuing to play professionally might mean a lot of VFW gigs around MI, and I advertised for a road gig. I ended up taking a residence job in a recording studio in South Carolina, and that got me down south. After playing in 46 more states and 30 plus countries, I'm still down here, so I guess it's a good fit.

I do miss Kalamazoo in many ways, especially in the spring when everybody comes out of hibernation!

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